Russia On The Brink Of Qualification To Last 16 After Easing Past Egypt

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 19: Denis Cheryshev of Russia celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group A match between Russia and Egypt at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 19, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Russia On The Brink Of Qualification To Last 16 After Easing Past Egypt

Russia have taken six points from six at the World Cup. After crushing Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opener, they beat Egypt 3-1 on Tuesday to put themselves on the brink of qualifying for the round of 16.

Stanislav Cherchesov’s men didn’t score until the second half but bagged three goals in 16 minutes to put the Pharaohs away. Egypt got a late penalty kick goal from Mohamed Salah, but it was over by then.

The Russians made it 1-0 in the 47th minute as Ahmed Fathi turned the ball between his own sticks for the tournament’s fifth own goal, one shy of tying the all-time record set in 1998.

Alexander Samedov then pushed the ball out wide to Mario Fernandes, the Brazilian-born right back who had powered forward from deep to deliver a perfect pull-back into the path of Denis Cheryshev who slotted home his third goal of the tournament.

Denis Cheryshev had never scored a goal for #RUS before this #WorldCup

Salah, who had not played since going off injured in Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last month, managed some consolation when he converted from the spot after a video assistant referee (VAR) ruling that he had been brought down by Zobnin inside the area.

The confirmation of ‘Sbornaya’ reaching the knockout phases will be confirmed if Saudi Arabia get anything less than a win against Uruguay tomorrow. Egypt are going home, but they must play for pride against Saudi Arabia in the last game on Monday the 25th.

An Englishman that is a coach and analyst within the youth academy of a Spanish club whilst studying Sports Coaching.
Obsessive over the tactical concepts of the European game, Alex regularly attends games in the La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A.